Department for Transport

European Aviation Safety Authority

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Government plans to leave the European Aviation Safety Authority in March 2019.

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to establish an independent air safety regime after the UK leaves the EU.

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of establishing a new UK civil aviation system after the UK leaves the EU.

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether UK aircraft maintenance companies will be able to continue to perform maintenance checks on EU27 aircraft after the UK leaves the EU.

Chris Grayling: During the time-limited implementation period, the UK will no longer be an EU Member State. However, as set out in the terms of the agreement, common rules will remain in place. The EASA basic regulation will therefore continue to apply, so all UK-issued certificates, approvals and licences will be automatically recognised as valid in the EASA system (and vice versa). As the Prime Minister made clear in her speech last month, beyond the implementation period we will want to explore with the EU the terms on which we could remain part of the relevant agencies, such as EASA. This will form part of the negotiations with the EU and Member States on how best to continue cooperation in the field of aviation safety and standards post-exit.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Ben Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Government is taking to support UK small and medium-sized businesses in procurement competitions to supply (a) goods and (b) services for the construction of High Speed 2.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: HS2’s procurement processes have been designed in order to open up opportunities for the wider UK supply chain (including small and medium sized enterprises). Contractors delivering major contracts will support annual ‘meet the contractor’ events. Primary (Tier 1) contractors and their sub-contractors will be required to advertise all sub-contract opportunities using the free access CompeteFor web-sourcing portal. HS2 Ltd. has also conducted extensive market engagement to enable businesses to ready themselves for HS2 opportunities.

Infrastructure: Cybercrime

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with key infrastructure providers on the steps they are taking to protect themselves from cyber-attack.

Chris Grayling: Across transport, there is an active cyber programme: departmental officials meet regularly with industry to provide advice and guidance to operators on their management of cyber risk. This aligns with the Government priority to ensure the UK’s Critical National Infrastructure is secure and resilient against cyber attack, as set out in the National Cyber Security Strategy. The Department also works closely with the National Cyber Security Centre to enhance understanding of cyber security capabilities, allowing resources to be appropriately targeted. Implementation of the Directive for the Security of Network and Information Systems (NIS Directive), in May this year, will enable the Department to build on this progress and steadily secure the improvement of cyber security in our key transport systems.

Driving: Licensing

Jack Lopresti: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to ensure that UK driving licence holders are able to use those licences in EEA countries after the UK leaves the EU.

Chris Grayling: Irrespective of the outcome of our negotiations, our ratification of the 1968 Vienna Convention and 1949 Geneva Convention will ensure that UK licence holders can continue to drive after exit throughout the EU and EEA using an international driving permit document if necessary. However, in the negotiations on transport we will be seeking to ensure that through the mutual recognition of driving licences, UK motorists can continue to drive throughout the EU and EEA after we have left. Such a deal is in the interests of both sides.

Aviation: Brexit

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department has taken to ensure the maintenance of commercial air services after 30 March 2019 in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a Withdrawal and Future Partnership Agreement.

Chris Grayling: The importance of air services to the UK economy is recognised across Government and we are working closely with the aviation sector to ensure its ongoing success. This includes through securing a good deal with the EU and third countries where air services are currently governed by EU agreements. We are also, as a matter of common sense, working on alternatives to a negotiated agreement, to ensure that no matter the outcome flights will continue.

Railways: Nuneaton

Mr Marcus Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information holds on the number of passenger (a) arrivals and (b) departures at Nuneaton railway station in each of the last five years.

Joseph Johnson: Estimates of the number of passengers travelling to and from Nuneaton railway station as estimated by the Office of Rail and Road are as follows:YearStation entriesStation exitsInterchanges2016/17643,010643,010599,5452015/16618,246618,246423,9782014/15569,041569,041440,0612013/14560,276560,276562,9302012/13520,499520,499277,659 Source: Office of Rail and Road, Estimates of Station Usage Station entries and exits are an estimation of the number of passenger journeys with an origin or final destination of Nuneaton respectively. The methodology applied makes an assumption that the number of station entries and exits are equal. Journeys in which a passenger changes from one train to another at Nuneaton are included as interchanges. Passengers on trains serving Nuneaton who do not board or alight at this station are not included in these statistics.

Cars: Exhaust Emissions

Royston Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of the new car emission regulations on (a) new and (b) existing kit cars.

Joseph Johnson: The proposals in the Department’s consultation on Road Vehicles – Improving Air Quality and Safety would have no effect on the owners of kit cars that are already registered, as they apply only to newly constructed and unregistered vehicles. Full consideration is being given to the representations received from the public consultation.

Electric Vehicles: Charging Points

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department is taking steps to encourage homeowners to install charging infrastructure for electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman: The Government currently provides assistance to drivers of new and used electric vehicles to support the cost of installing chargepoints in their homes under the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme. This grant provides funding of up to 75% (capped at £500) towards the cost of installing dedicated electric vehicle chargepoints at domestic properties across the UK. In addition, as announced in November 2017 in the Industrial Strategy, building regulations will be amended to ensure that cabling infrastructure is provided for chargepoints when new dwellings are built, to help future-proof new homes and avoid retrofitting costs. The Government’s forthcoming strategy on the transition to zero emission road transport will detail the role of Government in supporting electric vehicle infrastructure for homeowners as well as more widely.

Air Traffic Control

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with the relevant EU authorities on ensuring reciprocity of air traffic management systems with the EU after the UK leaves the EU.

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in EU member states on ensuring reciprocity of air traffic management systems after the UK leaves the EU.

Chris Grayling: The Government ‎recognises the need for UK air traffic management arrangements to remain interoperable with those of the rest of Europe. Safe and efficient air traffic management remains a high priority for Government. The Government is considering carefully all the potential implications arising for our aviation industry from the UK’s exit from the EU, including the implications for air traffic management. We have not yet commenced negotiations with the EU on transport, but we are prepared for when they do start.

Railways: North of England

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy to electrify the Transpennine Railway.

Joseph Johnson: The Government remains committed to improving services on the Transpennine line. However, electrifying the line alone would not deliver the capacity and customer improvements which passengers are demanding. We are currently working with Rail North and Network Rail to develop very significant improvements for rail passengers on the route with phased introduction from December 2022. These could be the result of investment in new trains, electrification or other infrastructure work.

Motorways: Inspections

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the minimum standards are for inspection covers embedded in live lanes of motorways.

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason inspection covers have been embedded in the inside lane of the M3 between junction 3 and the M25.

Jesse Norman: The minimum standards for inspection covers embedded in live lanes of smart motorways are set out in Highways England’s Interim Advice Note (IAN 161/15) and Chief Highway Engineer’s Memorandum (CHE Memo 397/17). The M3 between junction 3 and the M25 has a number of drainage pipes and associated inspection chambers located under the inside lane. During the upgrade to smart motorway, which included converting the hard shoulder into the new inside running lane, Highways England strengthened the inspection chambers and replaced the inspection covers where necessary in order that they meet the required wheel loading and skid resistance standards.

Railways: Tickets

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps is he taking to ensure that the roll-out of smart ticketing on the rail network does not exclude people without access to the necessary technology from purchasing rail travel.

Joseph Johnson: Our ambition is to ensure that passengers across the rail network can use mobile phones, bar codes and smart cards across almost all of the network by the end of this year. This will mean every passenger will have the choice of travelling without a paper ticket and we do not currently have any plans to withdraw paper tickets.

Bridges

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many bridges in England have been renamed after a public consultation in the last 15 years.

Jesse Norman: There are a large number of bridges in England, owned and managed by various organisations, including local authorities, Network Rail, Highways England and private companies. The Department does not hold information in the format required on the processes used where these bridges were named.

Railways: Digital Technology

Andy McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to publish a digital railway (a) strategy and (b) delivery plan.

Joseph Johnson: We will be publishing a Digital Railway Strategy with Network Rail and a public announcement on this strategy will be made shortly.

Railways: North West

Andy McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what  the timetable is for the electrification of the Bolton to Preston line; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Network Rail deliver the project.

Joseph Johnson: Network Rail remains committed to completing the electrification of the Bolton to Preston line by December 2018. As part of overall assurance, the Government regularly reviews Network Rail’s projects.

Railways: Timetables

Andy McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has plans to amend the (a) Northern, (b) Transpennine Express and (c) East Midlands Trains franchise as a result of the delay to the introduction of the May 2018 timetable.

Joseph Johnson: There are no plans to amend the Franchise Agreements as there are existing provisions within the current agreements that deal with delays to planned timetable changes resulting from variations to infrastructure assumptions made at the time of the franchise bidding process.

Railways: Timetables

Andy McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the capacity of Network Rail to (a) plan for and (b) deliver the December 2018 timetable.

Joseph Johnson: Following the challenges of the May 2018 timetable production, Network Rail has formulated a plan in relation to delivering an efficient and effective timetabling process and provide timely information for passengers. The ORR, as independent regulator, will be assessing the robustness of this plan through to the December 2018 Timetable production, which I will be monitoring the progress of as the process continues.

Great Northern Railway Line

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will meet representatives of Govia Thameslink Railway to discuss Great Northern Line rail services at Oakleigh Park.

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Govia Thameslink Railway on the implementation of their proposed RailPlan20/20 timetable.

Joseph Johnson: I have instructed my officials to investigate Great Northern Line rail services at Oakleigh Park with Govia Thameslink Railway representatives. I understand that the issue which you have raised with Govia Thameslink Railway will be resolved by the end of 2018 when the new Class 717 trains are introduced. Govia Thameslink Railway have been keeping the Department updated as to preparations for the introduction of the new timetable. The next timetable iteration will commence on 20th May 2018 and begin to introduce the many benefits of the Thameslink project.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Cuadrilla Resources: Lancashire

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 25 January 2018 on energy policy, HCWS428, if he will ask the Infrastructure and Projects Authority to assess the financial resilience of Cuadrilla Resources Ltd, including its ability to fund decommissioning costs, as part of the Government's consideration of that company's application for consent to fracture its first horizontal well at Preston New Road, Lancashire; and if he will make a statement.

Claire Perry: As a matter of policy, and as set out in the Written Ministerial Statement of 25 January 2018, my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State will seek an independent assessment of a company’s financial resilience before Hydraulic Fracture Consent is granted. If or when an application for Hydraulic Fracture Consent is received from Cuadrilla, the Secretary of State will ask for an assessment of the company’s financial resilience.

Tidal Power: Swansea Bay

Rebecca Long Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when his Department plans to conclude its analysis of the offer of investment into Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon by the Welsh Government.

Claire Perry: The Department has had a number of constructive discussions with the Welsh Government in relation to the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon project and these discussions continue.

New Businesses: West Midlands

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many new start-ups there have been in the media and culture sector in (a) Coventry and (b) the West Midlands in each of the last five years.

Andrew Griffiths: We do not hold data showing the number of business start-ups in the Media and Culture sector. The Business Demography Publication details how many start-ups there have been in the Creative Industries. When looking at business start-ups we look at business births. The Office of National Statistics defines business births as new business registrations. The following table gives the number of business births within Creative Industries in Coventry and West Midlands from 2012 to 2016  20122013201420152016West Midlands1,7802,2702,1852,2252,205Coventry145185185170180

Company Law

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many investigations of breaches of section 1112 of the Companies Act 2006 have been undertaken by Companies House; and how many of those investigations (a) led to companies being dissolved and taken off the register and (b) resulted in Companies House referring the case to prosecutors.

Andrew Griffiths: Holding answer received on 23 April 2018



There have been nine investigations into breaches of section 1112 of the Companies Act 2006 by Companies House, one of which involved multiple companies. Following these investigations Companies House referred three cases to prosecutors. Two of the companies involved in those cases have now been dissolved.

Fracking: Employment

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 6 April 2018 to Question 134558 on Fracking: Employment, if he will update the estimate in the April 2014 Ernst and Young report Getting Ready for UK Shale Gas on the number of jobs that fracking could result in at peak; and if he will make a statement.

Claire Perry: The Government will continue to monitor progress of the shale gas industry and will revise its estimates as appropriate as the industry develops.

Energy: Meters

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 5 February to Question 125468, how many gas SMETS2 meters have been installed, and how many of those meters have been connected to the DCC.

Claire Perry: Holding answer received on 24 April 2018



The rollout of smart meters is making good progress, with nearly 440,000 meters being installed every month and a total of 10 million meters already operating as of 31 December 2017. As of 17 April 2018, industry information showed there were around 800 gas and electricity SMETS2 meters connected to the DCC system. Most of these were being operated in test conditions and around 290 had been installed in the live environment. Energy suppliers are continuing to test their systems ahead of a controlled ramp up on SMETS2 meters in the coming months.

ACAS: Job Satisfaction

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment he has made of staff morale in the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service.

Andrew Griffiths: My rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has not undertaken an assessment of staff morale in the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas). Acas staff complete the annual Civil Service People Survey and the 2017 survey provides the latest indicator of staff morale. Acas maintained an overall engagement score equal to the median score for the Civil Service.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Syria: Chemical Weapons

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on what date the Government (a) first identified (i) the Him Shinshar weapons bunkers near Homs as a chemical weapons equipment and storage facility, (ii) the Him Shinsar weapons storage site and former missile base near Homs as a location of Sarin and precursor production equipment and (iii) the Barzeh branch of the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Centre in northern Damascus as a centre for the research and development of Syria’s chemical and biological weapons programme and (b) reported that information to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

Sir Alan Duncan: It is the long standing policy of successive British Governments not to comment on intelligence matters.The aim of this operation was to degrade the Syrian regime’s chemical weapons capability and deter further chemical weapons use by the regime. The target was selected on the basis of rigorous intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

Iran: Electronic Warfare

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the implications are of recent Iranian cyber attacks on universities in the UK and US on the level of cyber threat posed by that country to the UK more generally.

Sir Alan Duncan: The level of malicious cyber activity emanating from actors within Iran is concerning, as demonstrated in the global hacking campaign against universities by the Mabna Institute based in Iran. The UK calls on the Iranian Government to reduce the ability of malicious actors to operate from its territory.

Iran: Internet

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department has made representations to the Iranian Government on restrictions being applied to people in that country on access to the internet and social media; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: ​The UK strongly believes that the human rights that people have offline must also be protected online. Any restrictions on access to the internet and social media in Iran are concerning. The Foreign Secretary and I have both discussed our concerns about the human rights situation in Iran with our counterparts. In addition, working with our EU partners, we have placed sanctions on the Iranian cyber police for their role in online repression.

Martin Selmayr

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 April 2018 to Question 134583, on Martin Selmayr,  what communications his Department had with the UK Commissioner to the EU on the appointment of Professor Dr Martin Selmayr as Secretary General of the European Commission prior to that appointment.

Sir Alan Duncan: ​There were no such communications.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Databases

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which (a) external data analysts and (b) data collection companies his Department has used in each of the last five years.

Sir Alan Duncan: All Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) requests to use external contractor staff must be approved by the Chief Operating Officer during the on-going Civil Service-wide recruitment freeze. Our records show that only one request has been submitted to specifically bring in an external data analyst for a time-limited period over the last five years. This individual was recruited via the FCO’s managed service provider, Hays Recruitment. The FCO does not centrally hold data on the use of data collection companies. To provide this information would incur disproportionate cost.​

Algeria: Christianity

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations his Department has made to the Algerian Government on the closure of places of Christian worship in that country.

Alistair Burt: We are concerned about the recent church closures in Algeria. Our Embassy in Algeria has been in touch with the Protestant Church of Algeria, most recently on 20 February. The Minister responsible for Human Rights and I met with a delegation of Algerian Christians this week. The Protestant Church of Algeria has raised the closures with the Algerian Ministry of Interior. We stand ready to raise the subject with the Algerian authorities, should the Protestant Church of Algeria wish us to do so. The promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief is an important priority for this Government. The Minister responsible for human rights , discussed the importance of Freedom of Religion or Belief with the Algerian Minister of Religious Affairs in October 2017, our Ambassador to Algeria followed up this conversation, with the Minister for Religious Affairs, in January.

Egypt: Elections

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the fairness of the 2018 Egyptian Presidential election.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not made a formal assessment of the fairness of the 2018 Presidential election. We note criticism of the constraints on the democratic space in Egypt. The Arab League and African Union sent observers to monitor the elections. The Prime Minister called President Sisi on 4 April and congratulated him on the chance he now has to take Egypt further along the path of democratic transition during his final term in office. The UK wants Egypt to succeed as a stable, prosperous and democratic country, building on the rights and freedoms set out in the 2014 Constitution.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe

Thelma Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent progress his Department has made in discussions with the Iranian authorities on the detention of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.

Alistair Burt: ​We remain very concerned about all our dual nationals detained in Iran. We continue to raise their cases with the Iranian government at every opportunity, and make decisions in line with what we believe will produce the best outcomes in their cases. However, we will not be providing a running commentary. We judge this will not be helpful, or in the best interest of each case.

Animal Experiments: Cosmetics

Sir David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to encourage a ban on (a) animal testing for cosmetics and (b) the sale of animal-tested cosmetics.

Mark Field: ​ Although the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is not responsible for policy on animal testing for cosmetics, or the sale of animal tested cosmetics, the FCO has supported the Home Office through diplomatic engagement via our overseas network on this subject.For example, since 2013, the Home Office and the FCO/BEIS Science and Innovation Network in Beijing has continued to support China to bring an end to unnecessary cosmetics testing on animals, advising on a science-based approach for alternative testing.

British Nationals Abroad: Diplomatic Service

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the Fifth Report of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Session 2014–15, Support for British nationals abroad: The Consular Service, HC 516, what recommendations from the section of that report on deaths abroad have been implemented.

Harriett Baldwin: ​We have made changes in response to both the 2014 Foreign Affairs Committee report and the FCO's own internal review (which was also carried out in 2014). Most notably, the FCO created a dedicated team to handle Murder and Manslaughter cases. Since its creation in 2015, this team has supported over 200 families. We continue to regularly review our consular policy to ensure we are supporting the most vulnerable.

Department of Health and Social Care

Prescriptions: Fees and Charges

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what proportion of people of working age in England with (a) Parkinson’s disease, (b) cystic fibrosis, (c) sickle cell anaemia and (d) Lupus have to pay for their prescriptions.

Steve Brine: The Department does not hold this information. Extensive arrangements are in place to ensure that people can access affordable prescriptions and almost 90% of prescription items are free on the National Health Service in England. Individuals may be exempted on the basis of medical conditions or may be entitled to exemption on the basis of their age or income. To support those who do not qualify for an exemption, Prescription Prepayment Certificates are available, which allow holders to get all the prescriptions they require for just £2 per week.

NHS: Drugs

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to publish the Government's commissioned analysis by Ernst and Young of the effect of the UK leaving the EU on the medicines supply chain.

Steve Brine: Due to the large volume of commercial and sensitive information that has been shared by the pharmaceutical industry throughout this work, the Department will be unable to publish the final report. However, we will consider publication of an executive summary of the work.

Whittington Hospital

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what services are available for new patients at the Whittington Health NHS Trust clinic specialising in the treatment of chronic urinary tract infections.

Steve Brine: The Lower Urinary Tract Service (LUTS) at the Whittington Health NHS Trust (WHT) clinic provides treatments to patients with urinary tract infections which includes prescribing antibiotics. The Trust has been working to address the recommendations of the Royal College of Physicians following a service review of the LUTS, before the clinic is re-opened to new patients. The Trust is currently in negotiations with commissioners to establish the re-opening of the clinic in the 2018/19 contract. The service specification will be reviewed within 12 months of the clinic re-opening to new referrals. Patients who might previously have been referred to WHT will remain under the care of their own clinicians locally.

Human Papillomavirus: Vaccination

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the adequate availability of the HPV vaccine throughout the UK.

Steve Brine: The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil is centrally purchased and distributed to the National Health Service across the United Kingdom by Public Health England, for the purposes of both the national HPV vaccination programme for girls, and the recently launched national HPV programme for men who have sex with men. Central stocks of vaccine are monitored and a buffer of stock is maintained, to ensure continuous supply to both programmes.

Colorectal Cancer

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce incidences of bowel cancer.

Steve Brine: The bowel scope screening (BSS) test is offered to men and women around the time of their 55th birthday to help prevent bowel cancer. It does this by finding and removing any small growths, called polyps, in the bowel that could eventually develop into cancer. Evidence has shown that men and women aged 55-64 attending a one-off BSS test for bowel cancer can reduce their individual mortality from the disease by 43% and reduce their individual incidence of bowel cancer by 33% (23% on a whole population basis). Being overweight is the biggest single preventable cause of cancer after smoking and causes 13 types of cancer. This includes two of the most common cancers - bowel and breast - and two of the hardest to treat - pancreatic and oesophageal. The Government’s childhood obesity plan, launched in 2016, is a long term plan that focuses on the actions that are likely to have the biggest impact on tackling obesity and reduce the incidence of cancers and other associated diseases.

Glaucoma

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people have been diagnosed as having glaucoma in each of the last five years.

Steve Brine: A complete set of data is not available to accurately reflect the number of people diagnosed with glaucoma. The recording of a primary diagnosis is not mandatory within the hospital episode statistics outpatient commissioning data set and does not, therefore, provide a reliable estimate of those who have been diagnosed with glaucoma.

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people have been diagnosed with an STI in each of the last five years.

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the incidence of STIs.

Steve Brine: The numbers of people in England who have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in each of the last five years are listed below:YearNumber of people diagnosed with STI2012450,4302013451,9482014451,9482015436,9282016417,584 In 2017/18, Public Health England (PHE) conducted a social media campaign targeted at young people aged 16-24 years old which aimed to promote condom use by highlighting the risks and consequences of acquiring an STI. The 'Protect Against STIs' campaign will continue throughout 2018/19 subject to the relevant approvals. PHE’s national HIV Prevention and Sexual Health Promotion Programme issues contracts to HIV Prevention England (HPE) to conduct HIV prevention activities in populations most at risk of HIV infection and to the Family Planning Association to provide sexual and reproductive health information for the general population. Since 2012 the national human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme has provided quadrivalent vaccines that also protect against HPV types 6 and 11 which are the most common causes of genital warts, to young girls. In April 2018, PHE and NHS England have been tasked to implement a nationwide HPV vaccination programme for men aged 45 years or younger who have sex with other men which will be delivered through sexual health clinics.

Benzodiazepines

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to prevent addiction to Xanax.

Steve Brine: Local authorities (LAs) are responsible for assessing the need for drug prevention and treatment services in their area and commissioning services to meet that need. Public Health England (PHE) is currently working across Government and with expert networks and other groups to gather information following recent reports about rises in alprazolam (Xanax) use among young people and that benzodiazepines (including alprazolam) are also used in some parts of the country by adults who already misuse other drugs. PHE also works with LAs, providing data, advice and other bespoke support for the needs assessment and commissioning process. The Government’s drug strategy, published in July 2017, sets out a balanced approach which brings together police, health, community and global partners to tackle the illicit drug trade, protect the most vulnerable and help those with a drug dependency to recover and turn their lives around. Further information is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/628148/Drug_strategy_2017.PDF

Donors: Ethnic Groups

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has assessed the potential merits of producing a strategy to support research into the barriers and motivations affecting BAME organ, blood and stem cell donation; and if he will make a statement.

Jackie Doyle-Price: NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is responsible for the collection, manufacturing and issuing of blood products to the National Health Service in England; for organ and tissue donation in the United Kingdom; and for the British Bone Marrow Registry, to which it recruits registered blood donors to be potential stem cell donors. NHSBT has ongoing strategies to recruit more blood, organ and stem cell donors from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds in order to address the health inequalities faced by patients from those communities. These strategies are informed by research; for example, in 2013 NHSBT commissioned a report by Optimisa Research to understand attitudes and behaviours towards organ donation. Research conducted in 2015 by ESRO Ltd revealed some of the barriers and motivations of people from BAME communities towards blood donation. Copies of these reports are attached. NHSBT strategies include targeted marketing activity, events, education resources, PR and media work and engagement with faith organisations. The impact of these strategies is evaluated on an ongoing basis to inform future work. There will be a new national campaign to increase the number of BAME organ donors later this year. The Department sponsors Anthony Nolan and NHSBT to improve equity of access to unrelated donor stem cell transplantation for BAME patients.



PQ136190 attached document
(PDF Document, 1.16 MB)




PQ136190 attached document
(PDF Document, 2.24 MB)

Diabetes: Medical Equipment

Mr George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many real-time continuous glucose monitoring devices were used (a) in each clinical commissioning group and (b) across England in the most recent year for which data is available.

Steve Brine: The information requested is not centrally held.

Diabetes: Medical Equipment

Mr George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the variation in (a) access and (b) uptake of insulin pumps across England.

Steve Brine: NHS Digital is able to provide the attached data that details the percentage of people with Type 1 diabetes on pump therapy by participating specialist service in England in the year 2015-16.



PQ136195 attached document
(Word Document, 24.04 KB)

Diabetes: Screening

Mr George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has been made of the variation in (a) access and (b) uptake of testing strips for people with diabetes across England.

Steve Brine: NHS England has advised that it is not aware of any assessments nationally regarding variation in access and uptake of testing strips for people with diabetes across England.

Diabetes: Medical Equipment

Mr George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of people with diabetes in England are given a choice of their preferred glucose monitor.

Steve Brine: The information requested is not centrally held.

Diabetes: Prescription Drugs

Mr George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of local NHS formularies in delivering best outcomes for people with diabetes.

Steve Brine: NHS England has advised that it is not aware of any assessments nationally on the effectiveness of local National Health Service formularies in delivering best outcomes for people with diabetes.

Diabetes: Medical Equipment

Mr George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what (a) guidance and (b) incentives are provided to GPs to ensure people with Type 1 Diabetes have access to proven technologies to support self-management.

Steve Brine: Treatments may be brought into routine use in the National Health Service after their efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness have been appropriately demonstrated. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is responsible for assessing new technologies and interventional procedures, as well as producing guidelines for best practice of treatment and care. Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are responsible for commissioning diabetes services. In doing so, CCGs need to ensure that the services they provide are fit for purpose, reflect the needs of the local population, are based on the available evidence, and take into account national guidelines. This should include consideration of access to diabetes technologies.

Diabetes: Medical Equipment

Mr George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions his Department has had with NICE on undertaking its appraisal of technology for Type 1 Diabetes.

Steve Brine: Departmental officials meet regularly with colleagues in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and NHS England to discuss potential topics for referral to its technology appraisal work programme, including potential topics relating to drugs for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. In February 2018, Departmental Ministers asked NICE to develop technology appraisal guidance on the use dapagliflozin, empagliflozin and sotagliflozin for the treatment of type 1 diabetes and this appraisal is now underway. Once a technology appraisal topic has been referred to NICE, NICE develops its guidance independently based on a thorough assessment of the available evidence and in consultation with stakeholders, including the Department.

Diabetes: Medical Treatments

Mr George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of using artificial pancreas to improve outcomes for people with Type 1 Diabetes.

Steve Brine: The National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre in Cambridge is pioneering the development and use of the ‘artificial pancreas,’ a portable medical device that replaces the missing insulin in the body, reducing the risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). The prototype system is currently being tested by people in their own homes.

Surgery: Waiting Lists

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many elective operations were cancelled in (a) November 2017, (b) December 2017 and (c) January 2018; and how many and what proportion of those operations have not yet been rearranged.

Stephen Barclay: This information is not available in the format requested. NHS England publishes quarterly performance data on cancelled elective operations, which includes national, regional and provider level activity, and this can be accessed at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/cancelled-elective-operations/cancelled-ops-data/ Data for quarter 3 (October – December 2017) was published on 8 February 2018 with quarter 4 (January – March 2018) due for release on 10 May 2018. This includes figures for those last minute cancellations where the provider did not offer an alternative admission date within 28 days.

Hospital Ward: Closures

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many wards are currently closed under the framework to support winter pressures in 2017-18.

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the average length of time taken was to rearrange elective procedures that were cancelled as a result of the winter pressures.

Stephen Barclay: This information is not held centrally. It was recommended by National Health Service clinical leaders (National Emergency Pressures Panel) that non-urgent elective care be deferred to 31 January (from end of December) to free up capacity for our sickest patients. This deferment of non-urgent operations was the right thing to do while we managed the additional pressures of winter. For those patients who have not had new appointments, cancelled operations should be rescheduled by trusts at the earliest opportunity, taking into account patients’ clinical need. Decisions on scaling up and down bed capacity to respond to demand are managed locally by trusts. During the winter period, over 2,600 additional beds have been made available.

General Practitioners: Greater London

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent estimate he has made of the GP to patient ratio for (a) Lewisham Clinical Commissioning Group and (b) other clinical commissioning groups in London; and if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of those GP to patient ratios.

Steve Brine: The ratio of patients to full time equivalent (FTE) general practitioner (GPs) for Lewisham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is 2,015 to 1. The ratio of patients to FTE GPs for each of the CCGs in London is presented in the table below. CCG nameRatio of patients to General Practitioner (FTE) As at September 2017NHS Barking and Dagenham CCG2,414 to 1NHS Barnet CCG2,093 to 1NHS Bexley CCG2,330 to 1NHS Brent CCG2,003 to 1NHS Bromley CCG2,054 to 1NHS Camden CCG1,635 to 1NHS Central London (Westminster) CCG2,184 to 1NHS City and Hackney CCG1,664 to 1NHS Croydon CCG2,042 to 1NHS Ealing CCG2,218 to 1NHS Enfield CCG2,175 to 1NHS Greenwich CCG2,161 to 1NHS Hammersmith and Fulham CCG1,741 to 1NHS Haringey CCG2,197 to 1NHS Harrow CCG1,944 to 1NHS Havering CCG1,943 to 1NHS Hillingdon CCG2,419 to 1NHS Hounslow CCG1,913 to 1NHS Islington CCG1,756 to 1NHS Kingston CCG1,857 to 1NHS Lambeth CCG1,849 to 1NHS Lewisham CCG2,015 to 1NHS Merton CCG2,024 to 1NHS Newham CCG2,286 to 1NHS Redbridge CCG2,374 to 1NHS Richmond CCG1,870 to 1NHS Southwark CCG2,033 to 1NHS Sutton CCG2,028 to 1NHS Tower Hamlets CCG1,717 to 1NHS Waltham Forest CCG2,184 to 1NHS Wandsworth CCG1,912 to 1NHS West London CCG1,752 to 1

Pregnancy: Infectious Diseases

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase the level of screening for infectious diseases in pregnant women; and whether he plans to increase the level of that screening in (a) West Midlands and (b) Coventry.

Jackie Doyle-Price: There has been a steady rise in coverage in the National Health Service Infectious Diseases in Pregnancy Screening programme, from 96% in 2010 to 99% in 2016 in England. Coverage for University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust was 99.4% (5,960/5,994), both attaining the achievable level for a screening programme (acceptable threshold greater than or equal to 95% / achievable threshold greater than or equal to 99%). NHS England is responsible for commissioning antenatal screening services to meet programme standards including coverage. NHS England is working with providers to help identify and address any issues and is committed to improving coverage and reducing morbidity from this condition. It is important to note that the aim of antenatal screening is not to promote uptake but to ensure that eligible women are able to make an informed choice as to whether to participate in screening or not.

NHS: Antisocial Behaviour and Crimes of Violence

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will encourage other NHS trusts to emulate the joint working agreement on tackling violence and antisocial behaviour in the NHS introduced by Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust.

Stephen Barclay: The joint working agreement on tackling violence and antisocial behaviour in the National Health Service introduced by Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust is an example of good practice. Each NHS trust is responsible for its own local arrangements for how best to protect their staff, working in partnership with other agencies where appropriate. Such arrangements could include using good practice from other NHS organisations such as Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust. NHS Improvement is working collaboratively with NHS England on a pilot of what central support arrangements are required to help trusts fulfil their responsibilities for tackling violence and antisocial behaviour which will encompass the spreading of advice, guidance and good practice. This pilot will support the Government’s manifesto commitment to “take vigorous and immediate action against those who abuse or attack the people who work for and make our NHS” and new legislation currently progressing through Parliament that will make attacks against and abuse of emergency workers across all public services including the NHS an aggravated offence.

Diabetes: Medical Equipment

Mr George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the options for procuring glucose monitoring devices for people with diabetes in order to ensure that those devices are procured effectively.

Steve Brine: Whilst the National Health Service is committed to providing access to new drugs and medical technologies, it is the responsibility of clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to determine how funds are allocated for their local population. CCGs are responsible for commissioning diabetes services. In doing so, CCGs need to ensure that the services they provide are fit for purpose, reflect the needs of the local population, are based on the available evidence, and take into account national guidelines. This would apply to glucose monitoring devices, which would need to be both licensed and assessed for clinical and cost-effectiveness.

Dementia

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people with dementia are currently detained under the Mental Health Act 1983.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Although diagnosis is recorded in the Mental Health Services Data Set, this is a new area of investigation on which detailed data quality assessment and detailed analysis would be required.

Health Professions: Regulation

Anne Marie Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the timetable is for the publication of the consultation on the regulation of medical associate professionals.

Stephen Barclay: The Department consulted on the regulation of the medical associate professions between 12 October 2017 and 22 December 2017. The Department received over 3,000 responses, which officials are analysing. The Department will publish its response to the consultation in due course.

Diseases: Screening

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care what information his Department holds on levels of (a) breast cancer, (b) bowel cancer, (c) cervical cancer, (d) diabetic eye, (e) abdominal aortic aneurysm and (f) fetal anomaly screening in each year since those NHS screening programmes were introduced.

Steve Brine: The National Health Service Breast Screening Programme began in 1988. Data on the levels of Breast screening from 2004 to 2016 is available at: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/breast-screening-programme Data outside this time period are not available in the format requested. The NHS Cervical Screening Programme began in 1988. Data on the levels of Cervical screening from 2004 to 2016 are available at: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/cervical-screening-programme Data outside this time period are not available in the format requested. The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme started in 2006. Data for years 2016/17 are available in the following table. Data outside this time period are not available in the format requested. NHS bowel cancer screening data for 2016/17IndicatorPeriodRate for EnglandPersons, 60-69, screened for bowel cancer within six months of invitation (Uptake, %)2016/1757%Persons, 60-69, screened for bowel cancer in the last 30 months (2.5 year coverage, %)2016/1757.4%Source: https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/search/cancer The NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme began in 2007. Data for 2016/17 (by clinical commissioning group/region) are available here: https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/search/DIABETIC%20EYE#page/3/gid/1/pat/46/par/E39000030/ati/152/are/E38000010/iid/92874/age/1/sex/4 Data outside this time period are not available in the format requested. The NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme started in 2009. Data on coverage for 2016/17 (by region) are available here: https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/search/Abdominal%20aortoa#pat/15/ati/6/par/E92000001 Data outside this time period are not available in the format requested. The NHS Foetal Anomaly Screening Programme began in 2001. Data for 2016/17 are available in the Annual KPI data: April 2016 to March 2017 document here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-screening-programmes-kpi-reports-and-briefings-2016-to-2017 A copy is attached. Data outside this time period are not available in the format requested.



Foetal Anomaly Screening Programme data
(Excel SpreadSheet, 386.01 KB)

Department for International Development

Department for International Development: EU Law

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, which regulations her Department (a) has introduced as a result of EU legislation from 23 June 2016 to date and (b) expects to implement as a result of EU legislation in (i) 2018 and (ii) 2019; and what estimate she has made of the cost of each such regulation to the (A) public purse and (B) private sector.

Harriett Baldwin: DFID has not introduced any regulations as a result of EU legislation from 23 June 2016 to date and does not plan to implement any regulations as a result of EU legislation in 2018 or 2019.

Department for Education

Universal Credit: Free School Meals

Graham P Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the number of children in Year 3 and above who will be affected by the new means-tested entitlement for free school meals in households on universal credit with work-related earnings of more than £7,400 a year.

Nadhim Zahawi: Holding answer received on 16 April 2018



Our new criteria for free school meals eligibility will increase the number of children eligible by around 50,000 children by 2022. Due to the generous protections we will provide, all children receiving free school meals at the point the threshold is introduced, and all those who gain eligibility during the rollout of Universal Credit, will continue to receive free school meals until the end of Universal Credit rollout. After this point, those children who were protected – should they still be in school – will continue to be protected until the end of their current phase of education. Our protection arrangements will also cover pupils in receipt of benefits-related free school meals in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, as well as those in Year 3 and above.

Teachers: Training

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of early years tutors in further education settings have taken part in the professional exchange trial.

Nadhim Zahawi: We asked the Education and Training Foundation (ETF), as the body whose purpose is to improve the quality of further education and training and to support workforce development, to conduct an analysis into the training needs of early years tutors and to provide a report for ministers by the end of March. Alongside that report, and to help inform it, we asked the ETF to trial some professional exchanges for early years tutors to enable them to share challenges and effective practice.The training needs analysis report and a report on the outcomes of the professional exchanges will be published in due course.

Higher Education: Admissions

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions his Department has had with (a) representatives of the universities sector and (b) the Home Office on ensuring that British-born children of immigrants are not deterred from applying to university by the application fee for such children to register as British citizens.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The Department for Education has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Children: Care Homes

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a regulatory requirement for Ofsted to inspect children’s homes before they reopen.

Nadhim Zahawi: Ofsted has the powers and discretion to determine when to inspect a children’s home. Whilst there is not a regulatory requirement for Ofsted to inspect children’s homes before they reopen, it is Ofsted’s continuing practice to visit the provider before they reopen to ensure the provider and premises remain fit for registration. Any changes in such practice would be subject to discussion with the department.

Nurses: Training

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the number of nursing students who have received incorrect payments from the Student Loans Company and who have been told that money will as a result be deducted from their future payments.

Mr Sam Gyimah: 793 Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions students are currently known to have received an overpayment of student support as a result of an error by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The government announced on 18 April that the SLC will provide support to ensure that none of the students affected by the error suffer hardship. Students affected by this will be eligible to apply for additional, non-repayable, support of up to £1,000 for the remainder of this academic year, and should contact the SLC. In addition, repayment of overpaid maintenance support will be deferred for all students affected until they have finished their courses and can afford to repay.

Teachers: Training

Liz Twist: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, for what reasons his Department does not offer a subject knowledge enhancement grant to people training as religious education teachers; and if he will take steps to offer such grants for people wishing to train as teachers in that subject.

Nick Gibb: The Department for Education has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Grammar Schools

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many grammar schools he is responsible for.

Nick Gibb: There are 163 state-funded grammar schools.

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education: Public Consultation

Derek Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the consultation on changes to teaching of sex and relationship education, and PSHE, published on 19 December 2017, was sent to (a) parents and (b) guardians.

Nick Gibb: Between December 2017 and February 2018, the Department for Education undertook a call for evidence on Relationships Education in primary schools and Relationships and Sex Education in secondary schools, alongside a consideration of Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education. This sought views from parents and carers; teachers and other school staff; children and young people; and other interested parties. The Department used a range of media channels to raise awareness and encourage participation from parents and other interest groups. In addition, the Department met with representative groups as part of the wider engagement process, including the Parent-Teacher Association and Mumsnet. The findings of the call for evidence and wider engagement process will support development of regulations and statutory guidance on the subjects. These will be subject to a full consultation before the regulations are laid in Parliament for debate.

Sex and Relationship Education

Sarah Champion: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the timetable is for the publication of the draft guidance on Relationships and Sex Education.

Nick Gibb: The Department has conducted a thorough and wide-ranging engagement process, including a call for evidence, on the scope and content of Relationships Education for primary schools and Relationships and Sex Education for secondary schools, and on the future status of Personal, Social, Health and Economic education. We are currently considering the responses to the call for evidence and representations through the engagement process, and are developing draft regulations and guidance. These will be subject to a full consultation before the regulations are laid in Parliament for debate.

Teachers: Recruitment

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many secondary school teachers have been recruited in each year since 2010, and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: Holding answer received on 24 April 2018



The number of new entrants to state funded secondary schools are shown in the attached table. Figures on the numbers of new entrants are only available for 2011 onwards, figures on the movement of teachers between state funded schools are not available. The rise in the number of new entrants to state funded secondary schools in 2016 is encouraging and shows that teaching remains an attractive and rewarding career for talented graduates.



FTE_number_of_qualified_teacher_entrants
(PDF Document, 18.07 KB)

Wakefield City Academies Trust

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 19 April 2018 to Question 135939, how much funding his Department provided to former Wakefield City Academy Trust schools and their new trusts by 1 April 2018.

Nadhim Zahawi: The department has worked with all the schools and the new trusts to provide appropriate support and resources, including funding, so that each of the schools has what they require to improve pupil outcomes and secure the financial future for those schools.Further detail on funding for the schools and their new trusts remains sensitive at this stage in the process. The department annually publishes transparency data on a key strand of relevant funding: ‘Academy trust transfers and grant funding’. This provides information on grant funding given to schools and trusts. The data shows funding provided where academies have joined new trusts in the financial year 2013-17 until 2016-17. Additional grant information for the year 2017-18 will be published in July 2018.

Wakefield City Academies Trust

Paula Sherriff: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 19 April 2018 to Question 135939 on Wakefield City Academies Trust (WCAT), if he will list the (a) nine WCAT schools for which new trusts have been identified but which have not yet transferred to them and (b) one WCAT school for which no new trust has been identified.

Nadhim Zahawi: The department has publicly confirmed the new trusts for 20 of the 21 Wakefield City Academies Trust schools. The nine schools for which trusts have been identified, but they have not moved, is in the table below. For the remaining school, Mexborough Academy, Delta Academies Trust remains the preferred trust. The Regional Schools Commissioner is working to confirm the final trust for Mexborough Academy as soon as possible. Our priority continues to be to minimise disruption for all concerned and move all the schools into strong new trusts as quickly as possible in the interests of pupils. Academy New Trust Balby Carr Community AcademyAstrea Academy TrustCarr Lodge AcademyExceed Learning PartnershipWillow AcademyInspiring Futures Academy TrustHavercroft AcademyOutwood Grange Academies TrustHemsworthOutwood Grange Academies TrustThe Freeston AcademyOutwood Grange Academies TrustWakefield City AcademyOutwood Grange Academies TrustWest End AcademyWaterton Academy TrustKinsley AcademyWaterton Academy Trust

Ministry of Justice

Ministry of Justice: Living Wage

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) direct employees, (b) agency staff and (c) outsourced staff working for (i) his Department and (ii) agencies of his Department are paid less than the living wage, as defined by the Living Wage Foundation.

Dr Phillip Lee: Holding answer received on 23 April 2018



In line with the Government’s commitment given in the budget, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) will continue to ensure staff are paid at or above the statutory National Living Wage which is currently £7.83 per hour. As of 31 December 2017, 8.7% of employees within the Ministry of Justice and its agencies excluding Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) on which there is reliable data were paid below the ‘Real’ Living Wage (RLW) as defined by the Living Wage Foundation.” As of 31 December 2017, 1.1% of direct employees in HMPPS were paid below the RLW. As of April 2018, 24.6% of agency and outsourced staff within the Ministry of Justice are paid less than the RLW.

Prison Officers: Pensions

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions his Department has had with unions representing prison officers on the new pension scheme since its introduction in 2015.

Rory Stewart: This House recognises the significant role that prison officers play within the criminal justice system and the physical and often dangerous nature of their work. Since the introduction of the new Civil Service Pension Scheme in 2015, HM Prison and Probation Service has held lengthy discussions with the Prison Officers Association (the trade union for prison officers) over the changes made under the new scheme introduced in 2015, and has offered a new pension package for frontline prison staff, allowing them a reduced retirement age of up to three years – from 68 to 65 with no cost to the employee. The POA balloted their membership on the offer, but voted to reject it.

Prison Officers: Early Retirement

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prison officers in England and Wales have retired (a) at and (b) before the age of 60 for health reasons in each of the last three years.

Rory Stewart: Her Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) is committed to ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of its staff, and recognises that prison staff have to work in sometimes difficult conditions. HMPPS continuously monitors and re-assesses the support and interventions in place for staff and changed its delivery model for employee assistance services (EAP) in 2017. The new EAP model has significantly enhanced access to the support available to staff, and includes specialist Trauma Support and a manager’s helpline. The model also enables staff to self-refer for counselling by calling the 24 hour helpline. The latest set of HMPPS workforce statistics covering the period to 31 December 2017 is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/her-majestys-prison-and-probation-service-workforce-quarterly-december-2017. The number of band 3-5 prison officers in England and Wales who have retired (i) before 60 and (ii) at 60 is recorded in table 11b which is available at the link above.

Prison Officers: Retirement

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what consultation his Department carried out with prison officers, trades unions and healthcare professionals before introducing the new pension scheme for prison officers in 2015 which raised the age of retirement to 67 years of age.

Rory Stewart: This House recognises the significant role that prison officers play within the criminal justice system and the physical and often dangerous nature of their work. All consultation/negotiations with the Civil Service trade unions, including the Prison Officers Association (POA) who are the trade union responsible for prison officers in HM Prison and Probation Service, were carried out by the Pension Scheme Executive in Civil Service Pensions – Cabinet Office. The Pension Scheme Executive in 2012 held separate additional talks with the POA regarding the increase in pension age and offered a package under the Enhanced Effective Pension Age (EEPA). This provided an opportunity for staff to purchase a lower pension age, which would be subsidised by the employer. The POA membership rejected this offer.

Small Claims: Electronic Government

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to allow people to submit evidence by e-mail to the Money Claims Online website.

Lucy Frazer: Her Majesty’s Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) launched the new online money claims service on 26 March 2018. This new digital service already allows people to submit email responses and some correspondence. As the service is developed, HMCTS expects to extend the functionality to include the emailing of evidence.

Treasury

Overseas Trade

John Redwood: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans the Government has in place to ensure the efficiency of border arrangements for the import of components in complex supply chains from non-EU countries.

Mel Stride: Future customs arrangements depend on the outcome of the negotiations. The Government remains clear that the UK’s future customs arrangements should be as frictionless as possible, ensuring that traffic continues to flow as freely as possible at all ports. HM Revenue and Customs has engaged with a large number of businesses and ports to understand what may impact them in future, to identify any customs challenges they may face and to support businesses with the necessary education and guidance structures to be ready for future customs arrangements.

Ports: Imports and Exports

John Redwood: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure a friction-free border for non-EU (a) imports and (b) exports at UK ports.

Mel Stride: The UK delivers a highly effective customs service and is well-respected across the world, using procedures that are risk based and which maximise automation to deliver a swift and seamless service to the UK’s legitimate international trade. The UK has sought consistently to minimise business burdens and make trade as frictionless as possible.As the UK leaves the EU, we remain on course to deliver an effective customs, VAT and excise system that enables trade to flow, HMRC to collect revenues, and the UK to have a secure border.

Smuggling: Northern Ireland

John Redwood: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent steps his Department has taken to control smuggling at the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Mel Stride: HMRC is not a border agency and does not police the Irish Land Boundary however, it deploys a wide range of intervention measures to ensure that it can effectively detect, deter and disrupt attacks on the tax system. Any anti smuggling operations at the Border are highly targeted and are undertaken on the basis of intelligence and risk profiling. Multi-agency cross border cooperation is a key element in combatting Cross Border smuggling and HMRC work closely with partner law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border. HMRC are a key partner in the Joint Agency Taskforce (JATF) established in 2016 under the auspices of the Stormont House Agreement (SHA). The JATF comprises Law Enforcement Agencies from across the island of Ireland is focussed on tackling border criminality and HMRC are active participants in both the strategic oversight and operational groups. HMRC also play a proactive role in the Organised Crime Task Force, chairing the Cross Border Fuel Fraud Group and also co-chair a Cross Border Excise Fraud Group.

Revenue and Customs: Repayments

Ronnie Cowan: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent steps his Department has taken to ensure that businesses receive any refunds or rebates from HMRC in a timely manner.

Ronnie Cowan: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to streamline the real-time submissions process to support the payment of refunds from HMRC to employers.

Ronnie Cowan: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC has recently made an assessment of the effectiveness of its procedures for businesses obtaining refunds from either (a) the Construction Industry Scheme and (b) statutory overpayments.

Mel Stride: HMRC’s processes are designed to ensure that customers who are owed money can get that money back as quickly as possible subject to the requirements of legislation and security. Those processes are regularly reviewed to ensure that there are no unnecessary delays built into them.

Trade Agreements

John Redwood: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to have in place a customs system to deal with trade on WTO terms.

Mel Stride: In August 2017, the Government published two future customs proposals, which are dependent on the outcome of the negotiations with the EU. The UK and the EU have agreed on the terms of an implementation period, which will start on 30 March 2019 and last until 31 December 2020. However, as a responsible government, we continue to plan for all scenarios. We remain on course to deliver a functioning customs, VAT and excise system that enables trade to flow, HMRC to collect revenues, and the UK to have a secure border.

Child Tax Credit

Alison Thewliss: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many claims have been made under the non-consensual conception exemption for child tax credit in (a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland since 6 April 2017.

Mel Stride: Providing support for a maximum of two children in tax credits and Universal Credit is about ensuring those who receive income related benefits face the same financial choices as those supporting themselves solely through work. The government also recognises that some claimants are not able to make the same choices about the number of children in their family and consequently has provided exceptions in certain cases, including in cases of non-consensual conception. Statistics relating to the operation of the policy and the exceptions will be published in due course, once there are sufficient cases to enable robust analysis and the data has been quality assured.

Public Buildings: Disability

Julian Sturdy: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to improve disabled access to public buildings through the tax system.

Mel Stride: The government is committed to combatting all types of discrimination in the workplace and wider society. Many public-sector bodies are exempt from corporation tax and can either reclaim VAT on their purchases or are funded to cover their VAT liabilities. Therefore, they could not be incentivised through tax reliefs to invest further in accessibility to public buildings. The Equality Act 2010 requires all companies and organisations to make reasonable adjustments to remove the barriers faced by the disabled to ensure they have access to the same services as someone who is not disabled.

Charities: Buildings

Julian Sturdy: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to support charities undertaking building works through the tax system.

Mel Stride: The Government recognises the vitally important work the charity sector does in the UK, which is why we currently provide tax relief to charities and donors worth over £5 billion per year. This includes over £1.3 billion for Gift Aid alone and a zero rate of VAT for the construction of buildings used for relevant charitable purposes. The zero rate means that charities do not pay tax on the construction of new buildings or services closely connected to the construction of a new building.

Taxation: Fraud

Neil Gray: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what guidance his Department has issued to HMRC on handling  cases where people have been defrauded out of tax repayments by companies claiming to represent them.

Neil Gray: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much (a) HMRC and (b) his Department has spent on tackling companies that defraud thier clients in cases of tax refunds in each of the last three years.

Neil Gray: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps HMRC has taken to pursue (a) individuals and (b) companies who have defrauded people they represent out of tax refunds in each of the last three years.

Neil Gray: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the value of tax refund fraud in each of the last three years.

Neil Gray: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what HMRC's policy is when it is notified of a company allegedly acting fraudulently on behalf of a taxpayer applying for a tax refund.

Neil Gray: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what (a) policy and (b) procedure HMRC follows to work with the police on an allegation of fraud carried out by a company claiming to represent a taxpayer applying for a rebate.

Neil Gray: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions Ministers have had with HMRC on companies defrauding taxpayers whom they claim to represent when applying for a rebate.

Neil Gray: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discretion HMRC has when it has paid a tax rebate to a company acting fraudulently to ensure that the taxpayer who has been defrauded is reimbursed.

Neil Gray: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps HMRC takes when it has been notified by a company director that their identity has been used fraudulently by impersonators.

Mel Stride: HMRC has a strong track record in tackling avoidance, fraud and evasion and non-compliance in the system. Since 2010, HMRC compliance activity has brought in more than £175 billion which would otherwise have gone unpaid. HMRC take all reports of non-compliance with the tax system seriously, including identity hijacking, and will investigate fully any allegations of wrongdoing brought to its attention. Where there is suspected potential tax fraud, HMRC has the powers and capability to criminally investigate, and will not hesitate to do so. HMRC regularly work with the police to ensure cases are investigated appropriately. HMRC is bound by The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime. The Code requires HMRC to help victims of fraud where HMRC is carrying out a criminal investigation into the crime, or has accepted responsibility for making a decision to prosecute the crime. Matters relating to theft and fraud that are outside HMRC’s remit would be subject to Police investigation. HMRC also have a vulnerable customer policy to support customers who are the victims of fraud in certain circumstances. This policy ensures that vulnerable customers are treated with care, sensitivity and given the extra support they might need to manage their tax and benefit affairs. Each case is determined on its own individual facts. In cases of identity theft, where, for example, a tax repayment is fraudulently claimed without a taxpayer’s knowledge, HMRC would not take action against the taxpayer whose identity was stolen, as both the taxpayer and HMRC would be the victims of fraud.HMRC is not able to estimate the amount spent on tackling this particular type of compliance activity because compliance teams work across a number of compliance risks at any one time. HMRC has not made any estimate of the value of tax refund fraud in each of the last three years. In line with the practice of successive administrations details of ministerial discussions are not routinely disclosed.

Aviation: VAT

Faisal Rashid: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of (a) levying VAT against (i) flight training and (ii) aviation gas on the number of trained UK pilots and (b) the shortage of trained UK pilots on the economy.

Mel Stride: HM Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs do not hold information on VAT revenues that can be broken down to assess the impact of VAT on the number of trained UK pilots.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Leasehold: Fees and Charges

Melanie Onn: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to provide support to owners of new-build leasehold homes who are charged fees other than ground rent by the freeholder.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: The Government is committed to promoting fairness and transparency for leaseholders and freeholders. We want to ensure that consumers only pay for the services that they receive, that costs should be transparent, communicated effectively and that there should be a clear route to challenge or redress if things go wrong.As announced on 21 December 2017, the Government will introduce legislation so that, in future, ground rents on newly established leases of houses or flats are set at a peppercorn (zero financial value).In addition, on 1 April, the Department published its response to the recent call for evidence on Protecting consumers in the letting and managing agent market. Proposals include establishing a working group to take forward work on regulating letting and managing agents as well as to consider under what circumstances fees such as service charges, administration charges and other charges placed on properties are justified, how they should be presented to consumers and to explore the best means to challenge fees which are unjustified.

Affordable Housing: Construction

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that the new guidance on viability with fixed returns for developers and landowners does not lead to a reduction in the number of affordable homes being built due to the construction of only that proportion of such homes which ensures they meet fixed profit levels.

Dominic Raab: Our proposed guidance on viability seeks to reduce protracted negotiations, giving local authorities and communities certainty that infrastructure and affordable housing will be delivered. Under this guidance, levels of developer and landowner return can be set by local authorities on the basis of relevant local evidence. This will support them to secure developer contributions while ensuring that their plan for development remains viable.

Affordable Housing

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will put in place provisions to ensure that when a developer uses a viability assessment to argue down the affordable housing element of a housing scheme on the grounds that the scheme would not meet its fixed profit level but the scheme subsequently makes a larger profit than predicted the developer will make a contribution towards affordable housing in the community.

Dominic Raab: In March, the Government published a draft revised National Planning Policy Framework for consultation, supported by guidance. This sets out a new approach to viability, including the use of review mechanisms on large or multi-phase sites, to enable local authorities to test whether the level of contributions initially agreed remains appropriate. The consultation seeks further views on how review mechanisms should be taken forward, and will close on 10 May.

Ministry of Defence

Egypt: Military Aid

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assistance his Department is giving to the Egyptian armed forces.

Mark Lancaster: The Ministry of Defence is supporting the Egyptian military to develop its capability to respond to the terrorist threat the country faces. Our programme of activity includes information sharing, senior bilateral Staff Talks, and bespoke training, including countering the threat from improvised explosive devices.

Ministry of Defence: Interpreters

Royston Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether it is his policy to relocate interpreters regardless of where they have assisted British military personnel; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Lancaster: In Iraq all Locally Employed Staff who fulfilled the eligibility criteria and requested it were resettled. Under this scheme 368 applicants and 960 dependants have entered the UK.The National Security Council-agreed Ex-Gratia Scheme for Afghan local staff was announced on 4 June 2013, by the then Secretary of State for Defence. Locally Employed Staff who met the criteria were offered relocation as part of the Ex-Gratia Scheme. Currently over 420 Locally Employed Staff (including those formerly employed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development) and 865 family members have relocated to the UK.

Ministry of Defence: Interpreters

Royston Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how the safety of interpreters is monitored when they are no longer employed by the UK Government.

Mark Lancaster: The general security is kept under careful review by the Foreign Office.

Armed Forces: Interpreters

Royston Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department maintains contact with interpreters who have worked for the Armed Forces in Kabul.

Mark Lancaster: The Department only has contact with Afghan former locally employed staff if: they have reported intimidation to the Intimidation Investigation Unit in Kabul, they are in receipt of an option under the Ex-Gratia Scheme, or they are employed by a contractor that provides services to one of our bases. The Department avoids unnecessary contact with former staff as current association with the UK could put them at risk.

Ministry of Defence: EU Law

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which regulations his Department (a) has introduced as a result of EU legislation from 23 June 2016 to date and (b) expects to implement as a result of EU legislation in (i) 2018 and (ii) 2019; and what estimate he has made of the cost of each such regulation to the (A) public purse and (B) private sector.

Mark Lancaster: The Ministry of Defence has not introduced any regulations as a result of EU legislation since 23 June 2016 and currently has no plans to implement any regulations as a result of EU legislation in 2018 and 2019.

Shipbuilding: Procurement

Mr Paul Sweeney: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to support SMEs to tender for contracts issued as a result of the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

Guto Bebb: The National Shipbuilding Strategy aims to re-energise the UK's shipbuilding industry by encouraging participation from the wider UK shipbuilding enterprise, ensuring that we receive bids from the widest range of suppliers possible. This will ensure that the UK remains globally competitive, and that the Ministry of Defence procurement process is as competitive as possible.We are committed to making it easier to do business with defence, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). As part of this we are working to improve our engagement with smaller businesses; making it easier for them to find opportunities and win defence business.Since March 2016 we have implemented a range of measures to support SMEs, including revising our polices, advertising all our contracts above £10,000 online, and requiring our prime contractors to similarly advertise subcontract opportunities. Furthermore, we have introduced a new Supplier Portal page, bringing together the key information for suppliers of all sizes.

Defence: Radar

Mr Paul Sweeney: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to (a) support and (b) grow the UK defence radar industry.

Guto Bebb: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 April 2018 to Question 135615 to the hon. Member for Bridgend (Madeleine Moon).



WQnA extract on Defence Radar
(Word Document, 22.26 KB)

Type 45 Destroyers: Radar

Mr Paul Sweeney: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to upgrade the Sampson radars on the Type 45 destroyers to provide those destroyers with ballistic missile detection and tracking capability.

Guto Bebb: There has been some initial investment to investigate the potential for anti-ship Ballistic Missile Defence enhancements to the Type 45 destroyers. These investigations include the Sampson Multi-Function Radar. No decisions have yet been made.

Defence: Radar

Mr Paul Sweeney: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reasons the existing Type 102 radar held in storage by BAE Systems is not currently deployed.

Guto Bebb: The Type 102 radar system is held in storage as there is, currently, no operational requirement to deploy it.

Defence Science and Technology Laboratory: Finance

Paula Sherriff: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 18 April 2018 to Question 135699, how much additional funding his Department has allocated to the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory for running costs of the Chemical Weapons Defence Centre during the current spending period.

Guto Bebb: The Ministry of Defence has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Department for Work and Pensions

Children: Day Care

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what resources her Department has allocated to support the knowledge development of work coaches to encourage people to work in the childcare sector.

Alok Sharma: DWP’s National Employer and Partnership Team have been working with the Department of Education to publicise working in the childcare sector. This information is available to all work coaches, who will share it with claimants where it is appropriate to their circumstances.

Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many health professionals provide assessments for her Department; what the process is for ensuring those professionals meet quality standards; and how many such professionals have been removed from post in the last 12 months.

Sarah Newton: Currently the total number of Health Care Professionals (HCPs) conducting assessments is 3518. All HCPs conducting assessments are highly trained practitioners who must have at least 2 years post full registration experience or less than 2 years by individual, prior, written agreement with the Department. Requests by providers to employ HCPs with less than 2 years post full registration experience are rare and exceptional. To ensure HCPs deliver high quality assessments they are subject to a rigorous recruitment and approval process, followed by a comprehensive training programme in disability analysis. They also receive coaching and complete Continuous Professional Development modules to ensure their knowledge is kept up to date. All HCPs are subject to the Provider’s audit process and, in addition to this, DWP undertakes independent audit to ensure that the advice provided to the Department’s decision makers is of suitable quality, fully explained and justified. The providers do not specifically record data on disciplinary or performance management action on quality standards alone.

Department for Work and Pensions: Databases

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what (a) external data analysts and (b) data collection companies his Department has used in each of the last five years.

Kit Malthouse: DWP makes use of external research and analytical organisations to help generate the evidence it needs in delivering the Department’s agenda on work, welfare and pensions. The selection of organisations with whom the Department works is governed by processes and frameworks set up by or in conjunction with the Crown Commercial Service, using open and fair competition to source the most appropriate and cost effective provider. Complete information is not centrally held on which organisations the Department has used in each of the last five years. However, the following companies and organisations have been used to deliver projects in the centralised research programme over the last five years: • Cambridge University Technical Services Ltd• Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion (CESI)• Ecorys UK Ltd• Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)• ICF Consulting Services Ltd• Idox Software Ltd• Institute for Employment Studies (IES)• IFF Research• Independent Social Research• Insite Research & Consulting• Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS)• Ipsos MORI• GfK NOP Ltd• London School of Economics (LSE)• MDRC• National Centre for Social Research (NatCen)• National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR)• National Learning and Work Institute• Office for National Statistics (ONS)• Pensions Policy Institute (PPI)• Policis• RS Consulting Ltd• Sheffield Hallam University• TNS BRMB / Kantar• University of Bristol• University College London (UCL)• University of Essex• University of Manchester• University of Sheffield• University of Warwick• University of Westminster• The University of York  All contracted research is published and these reports, including which external organisations produced them, can be found on the Department’s research web page at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?keywords=&publication_filter_option=research-and-analysis&topics%5B%5D=all&departments%5B%5D=department-for-work-pensions Contracts with organisations for data collection, and contracts for research that have not yet published a report can be found using the Contracts Finder on the gov.uk website: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Search Information on which organisations the Department has used for data analysis and data collection outside the centralised research programme is not held centrally.DWP makes use of external research and analytical organisations to help generate the evidence it needs in delivering the Department’s agenda on work, welfare and pensions. The selection of organisations with whom the Department works is governed by processes and frameworks set up by or in conjunction with the Crown Commercial Service, using open and fair competition to source the most appropriate and cost effective provider. Complete information is not centrally held on which organisations the Department has used in each of the last five years. However, the following companies and organisations have been used to deliver projects in the centralised research programme over the last five years: • Cambridge University Technical Services Ltd• Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion (CESI)• Ecorys UK Ltd• Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)• ICF Consulting Services Ltd• Idox Software Ltd• Institute for Employment Studies (IES)• IFF Research• Independent Social Research• Insite Research & Consulting• Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS)• Ipsos MORI• GfK NOP Ltd• London School of Economics (LSE)• MDRC• National Centre for Social Research (NatCen)• National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR)• National Learning and Work Institute• Office for National Statistics (ONS)• Pensions Policy Institute (PPI)• Policis• RS Consulting Ltd• Sheffield Hallam University• TNS BRMB / Kantar• University of Bristol• University College London (UCL)• University of Essex• University of Manchester• University of Sheffield• University of Warwick• University of Westminster• The University of York  All contracted research is published and these reports, including which external organisations produced them, can be found on the Department’s research web page at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?keywords=&publication_filter_option=research-and-analysis&topics%5B%5D=all&departments%5B%5D=department-for-work-pensions Contracts with organisations for data collection, and contracts for research that have not yet published a report can be found using the Contracts Finder on the gov.uk website: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Search Information on which organisations the Department has used for data analysis and data collection outside the centralised research programme is not held centrally.

Working Conditions: Temperature

Sir David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will bring forward proposals to set a maximum permitted working temperature.

Sarah Newton: The existing law on workplace temperature, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, places a legal obligation on employers to provide a ‘reasonable’ temperature in the workplace. A meaningful figure is not set out in regulations due to the factors, other than air temperature, which determine thermal comfort (for example, the radiant temperature, humidity and air velocity). These factors become more significant and the interplay between them more complex as the temperature rises. Detailed guidance on workplace temperature and thermal comfort is available on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website. This includes how to undertake a thermal comfort assessment and measures that can be taken to improve thermal comfort. The Government has no plans to bring forward proposals to set a maximum permitted working temperature.

Personal Independence Payment

Thelma Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to publish new guidance to personal independence payment assessors on personal independence payment mobility claims.

Sarah Newton: The Department is working at pace and engaging with stakeholders to make the necessary guidance changes, in order to implement the MH judgment safely and effectively. New guidance will be published in due course. For more information on this topic I refer the Hon. Member to a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document that the Secretary of State has laid in the House Library (Deposit reference: DEP2018-0345).

Department for Work and Pensions: Surveys

Faisal Rashid: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 23 February 2018 to Question 128682, what assessment she has made of the (a) accuracy and (b) value of the Claimant Service and Experience Survey.

Sarah Newton: The Claimant Service and Experience Survey (CSES) is an operational tool to inform delivery improvements and measure performance across ten benefits. Claimant satisfaction is measured against four areas of the DWP customer charter (getting it right, keeping you informed, ease of access and right treatment). CSES is an externally commissioned survey and is conducted by an independent research organisation (selected through an open and rigorous competition). The design of the survey, fieldwork and outputs are extensively quality assured by DWP in line with Government Social Research guidance to ensure high standards of accuracy and robustness.The DWP utilises the research in the following ways:Performance monitoring of claimant satisfaction with services provided by DWP across benefits, to inform service design and delivery improvements;Understanding claimant use of digital services and different communication channels;Feeding into DWP annual report and accounts, as well as Cabinet Office equality report.

Health and Safety Executive: Job Satisfaction

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of staff morale in the Health and Safety Executive.

Sarah Newton: HSE does not specifically measure morale but it does measure engagement throughout the year through a monthly Pulse survey which uses the same index as the Civil Service People Survey. HSE last measured this in March 2018 and HSE’s overall engagement index was 52 per cent, which is one percentage point higher than 2017 People Survey. The following link will take you to the results for each Department including DWP and HSE:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-people-survey-2017-results--2

Personal Independence Payment: Appeals

Jamie Stone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average waiting time is for a hearing by the Upper Tribunal of an appeal by her Department against a decision by the First-tier Tribunal to allow an award of personal independence payment.

Sarah Newton: The information requested is not held by the Department.

Personal Independence Payment: Appeals

Jamie Stone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what financial safeguards his Department have put in place to protect vulnerable claimants in the event that their claim is delayed as a result appeals by her Department on the First-tier decision to award personal Independence payments.

Sarah Newton: At any time whilst payment is suspended as a result of a challenge to the tribunal judgement by the Secretary of State, a claimant can request that it is lifted on hardship grounds. Each case is considered on its merits and challenge will only be brought if we believe that a tribunal’s decision is erroneous in law.

Personal Independence Payment: Appeals

Jamie Stone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what criteria her Department uses for appealing decisions by the first-tier tribunal  to award personal independence payments.

Sarah Newton: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Personal Independence Payment

Judith Cummins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have had a reduction in the amount of their benefit entitlement as a result of the transfer from disability living allowance to personal independence payment.

Sarah Newton: The latest available data covering claimants whose benefit entitlement was reduced as a result of the transfer from Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can be found in the statistical tables “Personal Independence Payment: DLA to PIP reassessment outcomes, October 2017” published in December 2017 here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/personal-independence-payment-april-2013-to-october-2017 Table 8B (Summary of DLA to PIP Reassessment Outcomes) shows the volume of claimants who have had their awards increased, unchanged and decreased after reassessment from DLA to PIP. The latest date for which published data is available is 31st October 2017 and comparisons of DLA and PIP awards for reassessment claimants are published annually.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Food: Imports

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the ability of the UK to substitute domestically produced (a) food and (b) fish for imports once the UK leaves the EU.

George Eustice: The Government is pursuing a unique and ambitious economic partnership that provides the greatest possible tariff free and frictionless trade with the EU.There are sectors where the UK could, in the medium term, increase its production and processing of certain agricultural products to displace imports from the EU These include beef, pork, dairy, fruit and vegetables including through increased glasshouse production. The government will consider how best to support these sectors to take advantage of the opportunities of leaving the EU and becoming an independent country in control of our own agricultural policies in future.The UK has a high degree of food security with access to a diverse range of sources of supply, including domestic production. The UK’s current production to supply ratio is 76% for indigenous-type foods and 60% for all foods. This has remained steady over the last decade and is not low in the context of the past 150 years.

Plastics: Recycling

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect of the Government's plastic deposit return scheme on small retailers.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Government has confirmed that it will introduce a DRS in England, subject to consultation later this year. The consultation (accompanied by an impact assessment) will look at the details of how such a scheme would work, alongside other measures to increase recycling rates. Building on the working group’s call for evidence, we will be seeking further views on the potential impacts of a DRS on small retailers when we consult on this policy.

Animal Welfare (Sentencing and Recognition of Sentience) Bill

Sir David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when his Department plans to publish its response to the consultation on the draft Animal Welfare (Sentencing and Recognition of Sentience) Bill which closed on 31 Jan 2018.

George Eustice: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bristol East, PQ UIN 133919. Publication will also need to take account of the purdah period for the May 2018 local elections.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: EU Law

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which regulations his Department (a) has introduced as a result of EU legislation from 23 June 2016 to date and (b) expects to implement as a result of EU legislation in (i) 2018 and (ii) 2019; and what estimate he has made of the cost of each such regulation to the (A) public purse and (B) private sector.

George Eustice: A total of 14 of regulations have been introduced in England as a result of EU legislation from 23 June 2016. Impact assessments were required for two of these regulations which together provide an estimated direct annual net cost to business of £560,000. A list of the regulations including those with impact assessments is provided below. A total of six EU directives are currently expected to require domestic legislation by Defra before we leave the EU on 29 March 2019. Assuming we continue to transpose EU law during the envisaged implementation period, we are currently aware of a further five EU regulations that would require domestic legislation before the end of 2019. A list of the EU regulations concerned is also provided below. List of EU related regulations introduced since June 2016 1. The Waste (Meaning of Recovery) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2016 2. The Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (Amendment) Regulations 2016 3. The Single Common Market Organisation (Emergency Aid for Milk Producers) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 4. The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 5. The Detergents (Amendment) Regulations 2016 6. The Plant Health (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 7. The Plant Health (England) (Amendment) Order 2017 8. The Water Resources (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 9. The Environmental Impact Assessment (Land Drainage Improvement Works) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 10.The Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 11.The Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) (England) (No. 2) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 12.The Marketing of Fruit Plant and Propagating Material (England) Regulations 2017 13.The Single Common Market Organisation (Emergency Aid) (England and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2017 14.The Common Agricultural Policy (Control and Enforcement, Cross-Compliance, Scrutiny of Transactions and Appeals) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2017 List of EU Directives due to be transposed by March 2019 1. Directive (EU) 2016/2284 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2016 on the reduction of national emissions of certain atmospheric pollutants, amending Directive 2003/35/EC and repealing Directive 2001/81/EC. 2. COMMISSION DIRECTIVE (EU) 2017/2096 of 15 November 2017 amending Annex II to Directive 2000/53/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on end-of life vehicles. 3. COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DIRECTIVE (EU) 2018/100 of 22 January 2018 amending Directives 2003/90/EC and 2003/91/EC setting out implementing measures for the purposes of Article 7 of Council Directive 2002/53/EC and Article 7 of Council Directive 2002/55/EC respectively, as regards the characteristics to be covered as a minimum by the examination and the minimum conditions for examining certain varieties of agricultural plant species and vegetable species. 4. Commission Implementing Directive (EU) 2018/484 of 21 March 2018 amending Directive 93/49/EEC as regards requirements to be fulfilled by the propagating material of certain genera or species of Palmae in respect of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier). 5. Commission Directive (EU) 2015/996 of 19 May 2015 establishing common noise assessment methods according to Directive 2002/49/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council. 6. Commission Directive (EU) 2017/845 of 17 May 2017 amending Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the indicative lists of elements to be taken into account for the preparation of marine strategies. List of EU Directives with transposition dates between April and December 2019 1. DIRECTIVE (EU) 2017/2102 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 15 November 2017 amending Directive 2011/65/EU on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. 2. Commission Directive (EU) 2018/350 of 8 March 2018 amending Directive 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the environmental risk assessment of genetically modified organisms. 3. Directive (EU) 2018/410 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 March 2018 amending Directive 2003/87/EC to enhance cost-effective emission reductions and low-carbon investments, and Decision (EU) 2015/1814. 4. Council Directive (EU) 2017/159 of 19 December 2016 implementing the Agreement concerning the implementation of the Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 of the International Labour Organisation, concluded on 21 May 2012 between the General Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives in the European Union (Cogeca), the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) and the Association of National Organisations of Fishing Enterprises in the European Union. 5. Council Directive (EU) 2018/131 of 23 January 2018 implementing the Agreement concluded by the European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA) and the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) to amend Directive 2009/13/EC in accordance with the amendments of 2014 to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as approved by the International Labour Conference on 11 June 2014.

Horses: Databases

Sir Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans bring forward legislative proposals on statutory equine identification for a central equine database.

George Eustice: The Central Equine Database (CED) was launched on 8 March 2018. Legislation to implement current EU law on equine identification, including the CED, is being prepared and will be laid before Parliament as soon as practicable.

Flood Control: Finance

Holly Lynch: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's press release, entitled flood scheme boost with £36 million of funding, published on 27 March 2018, if he will list the 25 flood schemes that will receive a share of that funding.

Holly Lynch: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's press release, entitled flood scheme boost with £36 million of funding, published on 27 March 2018, how many schemes were considered for receiving an allocation of that funding but were unsuccessful in securing it.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The £36 million of the £76 million funding announced for flood defence at the Autumn 2017 budget has been allocated to the 37 projects listed below. Twelve of the projects, in Devon and Cumbria, were announced in December and the remaining and the remaining 25 were on 27th March. Funding was requested and provided for all the schemes that would meet the two criteria :- i) a new project could be completed in the next 3 years; ii) the scheme would either generate sufficient benefits in term of reduced flood risk to qualifying for 100% funding or have a high confidence of securing any partnership contributions needed.   Project name / LocationParliamentary Constituencies Additional GiA required to March 2021 (£m)Hull River Defences Phase 2Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle11.80Bath Flood Defence Scheme (Twerton gate replacement)Bath4.80Hexham Industrial Estates Flood Alleviation SchemeHexham3.73Seahouses Main Pier RehabilitationBerwick-upon-Tweed2.88Irwell Vale to Strongsty, LancashireRossendale and Darwen2.43Torksey Area Flood Risk Management SchemeGainsborough1.60Sud and Twyver Flood Risk and Restoration ProjectGloucester1.27Wallasey Embankment, WirralWirral West0.67Warwickshire Property Level Protection Schemes (Galley, Grendon, Fillongley, Bermuda)Nuneaton, North Warwickshire0.64Ashes Road Scheme, Rowley RegisWarley0.50Morton Corner, GainsboroughGainsborough0.44Summer Lane Improvement Works, Worle, SomersetWeston-Super-Mare0.43Cuttle Brook Increased catchment storage, DerbyDerby South0.38Lower Brailes Flood Alleviation Scheme, Welford-Upon-AvonStratford-on-Avon0.38Upsizing and Diversion of Culvert at Skipton Road, BarnoldswickPendle0.30Upper Brookstray, Coventry, Flood Alleviation SchemeCoventry North West0.29Eel Mires Dike Flood Alleviation Scheme, DinningtonRother Valley0.29Broad Oak Water culvert, AccringtonHyndburn0.23Sutherland Road, Cheslyn Hay, StaffordshireSouth Staffordshire0.15Bennetts Road, Keresley Flood Alleviation SchemeCoventry North West0.15Calico Brook, Appley Bridge - Scheme Review & EnhancementWigan0.11Waterhead Brook, Wolverhampton Flood Risk AlleviationWolverhampton North East0.10West Lancashire - Burscough - Level 2 Surface Water Management PlanWest Lancashire0.10Welford on Avon Flood Alleviation SchemeStratford-on-Avon0.09Shropshire Property Level Protection Longden and WorthenShrewsbury and Atcham and Ludlow0.07   Schemes announced in December 2017. Project name / LocationParliamentary Constituencies Additional GiA required to March 2021 (£m)Whimple Flood Defence SchemeEast Devon1.03Laira Avenue/Lipson Vale Integrated Urban Drainage Management scheme, PlymouthPlymouth, Sutton and Devonport0.61Newby Bridge Sluice RefurbishmentWestmorland and Lonsdale0.10Railway Terrace Flood Alleviation Scheme, SeascaleCopeland0.10Ravenglass Tidal Gate ReplacementCopeland0.09CaldewCarlisle0.06Santon Way Flood Alleviation Scheme, SeascaleCopeland0.05Gravel Management, Kent at KendalWestmorland and Lonsdale0.03Gravel Management, Greta at KeswickCopeland0.03Troutbeck Bridge Property Level ProtectionWestmorland and Lonsdale0.03Gravel Management, Derwent at CockermouthWorkington0.02Longtown Flood Storage ReservoirPenrith and The Border0.02

Flood Control: Finance

Holly Lynch: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's press release, entitled flood scheme boost with £36 million of funding, published on 27 March 2018, what criteria was used for determining the 25 flood schemes that will receive an allocation of that funding; and for what reasons schemes in Bury did not meet that criteria.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The criteria for the allocation of the £36 million required each scheme to be a new project that could be completed in the next 3 years. The schemes needed to either generate sufficient benefits in term of reduced flood risk to qualifying for 100% funding or have a high confidence of securing any partnership contributions needed. Schemes proposed in the Bury area fell under the following two categories and were therefore not eligible for funding from the £36 million allocation. 1. The schemes were either already part of the Environment Agency programme and are already receiving funding. This money was specifically aimed at bringing new schemes into the programme. 2. The potential new schemes associated with Bury that are currently sitting outside the current programme of work were not able to be accelerated to deliver and protect homes before 2021 as per the criteria for this funding.

Swine Fever

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of incidences of swine fever in Europe; what recent assessment he has made of the level of risk of swine fever outbreaks in the UK; what contingency plans his Department has put in place in the event of an outbreak of swine fever in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

George Eustice: Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) monitor outbreaks of diseases in the UK and across the world and regularly publish our risk assessments on GOV.UK.In August 2017, Defra’s risk assessment level was raised to low from very low in response to the spread of infection in Eastern Europe, and this has been widely communicated to the industry and pig keepers.EU safeguard measures restrict the movement of pigs and pig products out of African swine fever (ASF) affected areas, and we receive regular updates on the application of disease control measures in each Member State. We are in regular dialogue with European colleagues to monitor the situation within the frameworks provided by the EU reference labs for ASF. The restriction zones cover a wide area.Within the UK, further precautions to reduce the risk of accidental introduction or spread of disease include a ban on the feeding of swill and catering waste to animals and a standstill on movement after the introduction of new stock to a farm.The movement of vehicles and people, particularly farm workers, and personal imports of pork products from ASF affected areas present a potential risk. Defra, APHA and the pig industry are working together on a communications campaign for pig keepers to highlight the increased risk of ASF. This has focused on the importance of biosecurity and on raising awareness of the disease risks associated with the illegal feeding of kitchen waste or pork products to pigs.Tests for ASF are established, contingency plans are in place, and outbreak scenarios have been tested and will be further tested. If an outbreak of ASF occurred in the UK, Government policy would be to implement movement controls to prevent further spread of the disease, and to carry out a humane cull of pigs on affected premises in order to control and eradicate the disease and regain disease freedom.

Ivory: Sales

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on what date he plans to introduce a UK-wide ban on ivory sales.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: On 3 April the Government confirmed that it will introduce a total ban on the sale of ivory in the UK with narrow and limited exemptions. Primary legislation will be required to implement this ban and the Government will introduce a bill as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Home Office

Radicalism: Risk Assessment

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what criteria the police in England and Wales (a) used in 2010 to determine whether a person suspected of extremism was a risk to the public and (b) are used for that purpose now.

Victoria Atkins: Unlike terrorism, there are no specific criminal offences for extremism in the UK, and as such no criteria to meet. This was the case in 2010 and today. Any risk posed to the public is assessed on the evidence and intelligence available to the police and their professional judgment.

Robbery

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of international comparators of rates of robbery since 2015.

Victoria Atkins: On 9 April we published the Serious Violence Strategy. The strategy includes our analysis of the evidence and the trends and drivers of serious violent crime. The analysis showed that all of the countries examined had experienced a fall in robbery from 2008 to 2015 and, in common with England and Wales, half of them experienced a rise in robbery from 2015 to 2016. The strategy renews our ambition to go further, setting out a number of significant new proposals to tackle serious violent crime.  Recorded robbery Change from 2008 to 2015Change from 2015 to 2016England & Wales-37%+10%US-26%+1%Scotland-55%+8%Sweden-5%+1%Canada-32%-2%France-2%-5%Germany-11%-4%Australia-46%+5%Denmark-40%+7%Finland-9%+8%Italy-24%-6%Spain-10%-2%Netherlands-26%-7%

Taxation: Fraud

Neil Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she or Ministers of her Department have given guidance to police authorities on dealing with cases of tax rebate fraud; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Ben Wallace: HMRC provides advice on the Gov.UK website to raise awareness about fraudulent emails and texts suggesting that the recipient is entitled to a tax rebate. HMRC also provides details of where such emails and texts may be reported.

Home Office: Contracts

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 24 January 2018 to 127777, what factors are considered in monitoring the financial performance of strategic suppliers.

Victoria Atkins: Monitoring of the financial performance of strategic suppliers is commercially sensitive information and is not therefore to be published.

Wales Office

Wales Office: EU Law

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what regulations he (a) has introduced as a result of EU legislation since 23 June 2016 and (b) plans to implement as a result of EU legislation in (i) 2018 and (ii) 2019; and what estimate he has made of the cost of each such regulation to the (A) public purse and (B) private sector.

Alun Cairns: None.

Scotland Office

Scotland Office: ICT

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many IT systems which his Department uses are more than (a) three, (b) five and (c) eight years old; and what steps he is taking to ensure that all his Department's IT systems are updated promptly.

David Mundell: The Scotland Office uses an information technology system (SCOTS) operated by the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government is responsible for all hardware/software procurement, administration, support, maintenance and security of the system.This also includes regular review of hardware and software across the entire network to ensure it meets current standards.

Scotland Office: EU Law

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, which regulations his Department (a) has introduced as a result of EU legislation from 23 June 2016 to date and (b) expects to implement as a result of EU legislation in (i) 2018 and (ii) 2019; and what estimate he has made of the cost of each such regulation to the (A) public purse and (B) private sector.

David Mundell: Since 23 June 2016, my Department has not been responsible for introducing any regulations as a result of EU legislation.I do not currently anticipate that my department will be required to implement regulations in future as a result of EU legislation.

Cabinet Office

Cabinet Office: Living Wage

Frank Field: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many (a) direct employees, (b) agency staff and (c) outsourced staff working for (i) his Department and (ii) agencies of his Department are paid less than the living wage, as defined by the Living Wage Foundation.

Oliver Dowden: The Prime Minister’s office and No.10 are integral parts of the Cabinet Office and are included in this reply.I can confirm that no one in Cabinet Office and No.10 is paid less that the living wage, as defined by the Living Wage Foundation.Government Property Agency and Crown Commercial Services are both agencies of the Cabinet Office and do not have any staff members who are paid less than the living wage as defined by the Living Wage Foundation.I can confirm that 11 agency workers are paid less than the living wage, as defined by the Living Wage Foundation.In line with the practice of previous Administrations, we do not require agencies and companies contracted to the Department to pay Living Wage Foundation’s living wage to the staff that they employ.I can confirm that 51 outsourced staff in London and 6 staff in Norwich are paid less than the living wage as defined by the Living Wage Foundation. With regard to outsourced staff, Cabinet Office Facilities Management can only provide information for staff under the contract they manage for the London and Norwich estates.

Unemployment: North Wales

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many and what proportion of households were classified as without work in each local authority area in north Wales in each year for which data is available.

Chloe Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.



UKSA Response 
(PDF Document, 68.65 KB)

Colorectal Cancer

Jim Shannon: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people by (a) age and (b) gender have been diagnosed with bowel cancer in each of the last five years.

Chloe Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.



UKSA Response 
(PDF Document, 71.14 KB)

Colorectal Cancer

Jim Shannon: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the average life expectancy is for people diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Chloe Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.



UKSA Response 
(PDF Document, 92.39 KB)

Population

Adam Holloway: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will ask the Office of National Statistics to undertake a National Population Projection on the effect of the UK leaving the EU.

Chloe Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.



UKSA Response 
(PDF Document, 147.33 KB)

Department for International Trade

UK Trade With EU: Coventry South

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what contact he has had with businesses in Coventry South constituency in connection with trade with the EU after the UK leaves the EU.

Greg Hands: The UK is seeking the broadest and deepest possible agreement that works for all parts of the UK - including in the West Midlands and Coventry South.The Department for International Trade supports businesses from across the UK through its regional International Trade Advisers, sector teams, overseas network, international events programme and online services.The Department's Export Hub visited Coventry in February 2018.

Trade Remedies

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 22 March to Question 132109 on trade remedies, if he will publish the schedule of meetings which took place at each of the 60 visits.

Greg Hands: The Secretary of State for International Trade and his Ministerial team undertake regular visits overseas to promote trade and investment. The programmes typically include bilateral meetings with counterparts to discuss trade cooperation and meetings with business leaders and investors.It would be disproportionate to publish the detail of each of the 60 visits, but by way of example, the Secretary of State led a delegation of more than 50 UK businesses to China, during the Prime Minister's visit. During the visit he witnessed the signing of a number of commercial deals, addressed business leaders at a Digital China event and attended a China-UK Business Forum.The Department for International Trade do publish details of Ministerial visits before and during visits through press releases and social media.

Foreign Investment in UK: Northern Ireland

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent discussions he has had with Invest Northern Ireland on the use of UK Embassies to promote Northern Ireland as a location for foreign direct investment.

Graham Stuart: The Department for International Trade (DIT) is a department for the whole of the UK. It supports exports from, and encourages investment to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - with the purpose of ensuring the benefits of trade and investment are spread across the whole of the UK.DIT works closely with Invest Northern Ireland (INI) to support FDI into Northern Ireland, and to enable INI's expansion into 10 new markets this year. Of the 10 new overseas offices that INI have established, 8 are co located at British diplomatic missions abroad.

Department for International Trade: Staff

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many people were employed in his Department dealing with trade negotiations in (a) March 2016 and (b) March 2018.

Greg Hands: The Department for International Trade was formed in July 2016.Since then, the Department's Trade Policy has grown from around 45 staff to approximately 500 staff, bringing together trade policy and country specialists, as well as economic analysts, lawyers, and research experts.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Music: Licensed Premises

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to monitor the number of closures of live music venues in the UK.

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to support live music venues in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Margot James: The live music industry is a vital part of the UK’s music ecosystem, contributing £1bn to the economy in 2016 and it must be allowed to continue to thrive. We have reformed entertainment licensing and last year announced that the Agent of Change principle will now be included in the National Planning Policy Framework, helping to protect music venues when new housing is built. We will continue working with industry and Whitehall colleagues on a range of issues affecting the live music industry.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Cybercrime

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with key infrastructure providers on the steps they are taking to protect themselves from cyber-attack.

Margot James: Government Departments and the National Cyber Security Centre have regular discussions with key infrastructure providers on their management of cyber risk. Ensuring the UK’s Critical National Infrastructure is secure and resilient against cyber attack is a priority for the Government as set out in the National Cyber Security Strategy. This is supported by a significant programme of work to provide advice, guidance and support to infrastructure providers and develop effective regulatory frameworks. DCMS has been leading work for Government to improve the cyber security and resilience of critical services through introducing new regulation. On 20 April, DCMS laid the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018 in Parliament, implementing the Security of Network and Information Systems Directive (known as the “NIS Directive”) which places legal obligations on providers to protect our critical services by improving their cyber-security.

Virgin Media

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether he is able to intervene in circumstances in which Virgin Media fails to provide telecommunication services to a charitable organisation within a reasonable timeframe.

Margot James: Using the new powers in the Digital Economy Act 2017, Ofcom has introduced, amongst other actions, an Automatic Compensation Scheme that will benefit around 90% of landline and broadband customers in the UK from early 2019. As part of this scheme, if a provider promises a residential customer to start a new service on a particular date, but fails to do so, they will have to pay £5 for each calendar day of delay. For business customers, Ofcom is also introducing new rules to ensure all SMEs are given clearer, more detailed information upfront about what service quality to expect. This includes whether they can claim compensation when problems occur. At present, if the charitable organisation has a customer relationship with Virgin Media, the complaint for failing to provide telecommunication services can be pursued with Virgin Media. If Virgin Media are unable to resolve the situation within eight weeks, or where the complaint reaches deadlock, the case can be referred for alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to the Communications & Internet Services Adjudication Scheme (CISAS), providing it meets the scheme’s eligibility criteria. Further details about their service can be viewed at: https://www.cedr.com/consumer/cisas.

Social Media: Antisemitism

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he has taken to establish codes of conduct for social media companies and industry bodies on the treatment of antisemitic content on their platforms.

Margot James: We treat all hate crime with equal seriousness. There is simply no place for treating victims differently regardless of their race, religion, gender identity, sexuality or disability. As announced by the Prime Minister in her speech on 6 February, we intend to publish the Government response to the Internet Safety Strategy consultation in the spring. This will include further details about our social media code of practice which will help tackle abusive conduct online. The Inter-Parliamentary Coalition for Combating Antisemitism's Cyber Hate Working Group has been engaging with industry and one of its achievements is the agreement of a 'Best Practice' document which is published by the Anti-Defamation League and has been signed by all the major companies based in the United States, but does not specifically call for the removal of illegal content within 24 hours. The Government supports the European Commission's initiative to agree a second generation of this agreement, which commits the signatories to removing illegal hate speech within 24 hours.

Tourism: Finance

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what proportion of tourism funding from the public purse was allocated to London in each year since 2010.

Michael Ellis: VisitBritain and VisitEngland do not hold a breakdown of spending at local level, however London features in many of VisitBritain’s campaign, such as the current global marketing campaign ‘I Travel For’ to increase inbound tourism to Great Britain. VisitBritain also work with travel and tourism partners such as Sony Pictures and Studio Canal, to promote filming locations across London, and Barclays Premier League to convert football fans to visitors, promoting London stadia and their surrounding neighbourhoods. VisitBritain also work closely with London and Partners to ensure complementary marketing campaigns, including investing £500,000 in London & Partners’ Autumn Season campaign. In addition to this, London-based Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) collaborate with other DMOs across the country as part of several VisitEngland Discover England Fund projects.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Databases

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, which (a) external data analysts and (b) data collection companies his Department has used in each of the last five years.

Margot James: The information requested is not held centrally.